RAND-Walbundrie-Walla is one of several Hume league clubs hoping to make a dash at next year's flag. The Border Mail caught up with Giants coach Lucas Mellier this week with the former Thurgoona premiership player saying he's happy with the pre-season progress.
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BRETT KOHLHAGEN: Rand-Walbundre-Walla was one of the first clubs to return to the training track. Why?
LUCAS MELLIER: We started on November 2. My thoughts were we wanted to get in a good body of running before Christmas because we will have a month break and we all know what happens over Christmas. We thought we would get a base in and then top up on our running and fitness after that before working into the practice matches.
BK: How have the numbers been?
LM: We had 30 out there on the first night. Harvest is taking a few out at the minute but we are averaging 18 to 25 which is good.
BK: You have announced new captains to take over from club stalwart Justin Gordon haven't you?
LM: Chris Duck and Blake Lieschke will be in that role. I think Chris was an easy choice because he has been out there leading for a while and took over when 'Gordo' wasn't able to finish the year due to injury. Blake is a young fellow but since I've been out there he does the cricket, put his hand up to be on the committee and he coaches the thirds. He's doing everything he possibly can to be involved in the club. He's a younger guy with a good voice and hopefully he can spur on the younger guys. Why not give him a chance now?
BK: Happy with your list?
LM: Absolutely. We were really happy with what we had leading into the 2020 and the guys were really happy too. We all made a commitment to stay on and we've added 'Kev' Gerecke who has been tearing it up at training. We're still looking at a couple of others to come on board.
BK: When did you last play in the Hume league?
LM: It was the Murray Magpies' first year in the competition after being in the Coreen league. I just had one season before going to Thurgoona.
BK: You've been an assistant with the Murray Magpies and more recently Thurgoona. How have you found the transition to head coach?
LM: It's a bigger workload, I'm enjoying it. The first four months after taking on the job were pretty hectic as I tried to meet absolutely everyone and do the recruiting. It's been a pretty natural progression. Liam Clayton and I have done pre-season programs together before so we haven't tried to reinvent the wheel.
BK: Who is the team to beat?
LM: You would have to say Osborne after winning the flag, plus they have added Jamie Parr and Joel Mackie. I saw them play during the season and they're clearly a good side.
